Tumor ablation devices and related methods

ABSTRACT

Spinal tumor ablation devices and related systems and methods are disclosed. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include electrodes that are fixedly offset from one another. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include a thermal energy delivery probe that has at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. The position of the at least one temperature sensor relative to other components of the spinal tumor ablation device may be controlled by adjusting the position of the thermal energy delivery probe in some spinal tumor ablation devices. Some spinal tumor ablation devices are configured to facilitate the delivery of a cement through a utility channel of the device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/426,825, filed on Nov. 28, 2017 and titled “Tumor Ablation Devicesand Related Methods,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/426,816,filed on Nov. 28, 2017 and titled “Tumor Ablation Devices and RelatedMethods,” both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medicaldevices. More particularly, some embodiments relate to spinal tumorablation devices and related systems and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The written disclosure herein describes illustrative embodiments thatare non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain ofsuch illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medical device assembly comprising amedical device and three medical implements.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the medical device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the medical device of FIG. 1 witha portion of the housing cut away to expose certain components.

FIG. 4 is another side view of a portion of the medical device of FIG. 1with a portion of the housing cut away to expose certain components.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the medical device of FIG. 1, with a tophalf of the housing and an annular band removed to expose certaincomponents.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the medical device of FIG. 1, withthe bottom half of the housing and an annular band removed to exposecertain components.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device of FIG. 1

FIG. 8 is another cross-sectional view of the medical device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the medical device of FIG.1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of a handle of the medicaldevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the medical device ofFIG. 1 showing an articulating distal portion in a linear configuration.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the medical device ofFIG. 1 showing an articulating distal portion in a first curvedconfiguration.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the medical device ofFIG. 1 showing an articulating distal portion in a second curvedconfiguration.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of the medical device of FIG.1, wherein the perspective view shows insertion of an elongate cuttinginstrument into a port.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the medical device of FIG.1, wherein the perspective view shows rotation of the elongate cuttinginstrument relative to the port.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device of FIG. 1 withthe elongate cutting instrument in a fully inserted configuration.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of the medical device of FIG.1 that shows a distal end of the medical device when the elongatecutting instrument is in the fully inserted configuration.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a portion of the medical device of FIG.1, wherein the perspective view shows insertion of a thermal energydelivery probe into a port.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of the medical device of FIG.1, wherein the perspective view shows rotation of the thermal energydelivery probe relative to the port.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device of FIG. 1showing a thermal energy delivery probe that has been fully insertedinto the port.

FIG. 20A is a perspective view of a distal portion of a medical device,according to another embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a portion of the medical device of FIG.1 with various components removed to expose other components, whereinthe perspective view shows an electrical connection between the thermalenergy delivery probe and the tubular conductors.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a cement delivery cartridge.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the medical device of FIG. 1 showinginsertion of the cement delivery cartridge into the port.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the medical device of FIG. 1 showingwithdrawal of a stylet of the cement delivery cartridge after the cementdelivery cartridge has been fully inserted into the port.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the medical device of FIG. 1 showing afully inserted cement delivery cartridge that is configured tofacilitate cement delivery.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a medical device according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device of FIG. 26.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Spinal tumor ablation devices can be used to treat a tumor in a vertebraof a patient. For example, in some embodiments, a distal end of a spinaltumor ablation device may be inserted into a vertebra of a patient. Insome instances, once the distal end of the spinal tumor ablation deviceis inserted into the vertebra of the patient, an articulating distalportion of the spinal tumor ablation device may be manipulated toposition the tumor ablation device at a proper location within a tumorof the patient. The spinal tumor ablation device may then be activated.Activation of the spinal tumor ablation device may cause an electricalcurrent (e.g., a radiofrequency current) to pass between a firstelectrode and a second electrode of the spinal tumor ablation device. Asthe electrical current passes between the first electrode and the secondelectrode, the current may pass through tissue of the patient, therebyheating (and potentially killing) the adjacent tissue (e.g., tumorcells). One or more temperature sensors may be used to measure thetemperature of the heated tissue. Based on the information obtained fromthe one or more temperature sensors, the duration, position, and/ormagnitude of the delivered thermal energy may be tailored to kill tissuewithin a desired region while avoiding the delivery of lethal amounts ofthermal energy to healthy tissue. In some embodiments, once the tumorhas been treated with thermal energy (e.g., radiofrequency energy), acement may be delivered through a utility channel of the spinal tumorablation device to stabilize the vertebra of the patient.

The components of the embodiments as generally described and illustratedin the figures herein can be arranged and designed in a wide variety ofdifferent configurations. Thus, the following more detailed descriptionof various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intendedto limit the scope of the present disclosure, but is merelyrepresentative of various embodiments. While various aspects of theembodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarilydrawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

The phrase “coupled to” is broad enough to refer to any suitablecoupling or other form of interaction between two or more entities. Twocomponents may be coupled to each other even though they are not indirect contact with each other. For example, two components may becoupled to one another through an intermediate component. The phrases“attached to” or “attached directly to” refer to interaction between twoor more entities which are in direct contact with each other and/or areseparated from each other only by a fastener of any suitable variety(e.g., an adhesive). The phrase “fluid communication” is used in itsordinary sense, and is broad enough to refer to arrangements in which afluid (e.g., a gas or a liquid) can flow from one element to anotherelement when the elements are in fluid communication with each other.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are opposite directional terms. Forexample, the distal end of a device or component is the end of thecomponent that is furthest from the practitioner during ordinary use.The proximal end refers to the opposite end, or the end nearest thepractitioner during ordinary use.

FIGS. 1-13 provide various views of a medical device 100 (or portionsthereof) or a medical device assembly for use in a spinal tumor ablationprocedure. More particularly, FIG. 1 provides an assembled perspectiveview of a medical device assembly comprising a medical device 100 andrelated medical implements 175, 180, 190. FIG. 2 provides an explodedperspective view of the medical device 100. FIG. 3 is a side view of themedical device 100, with various components removed to expose othercomponents. FIG. 4 is another side view of the medical device 100 withvarious component removed to expose other components. FIG. 5 is aperspective view of the medical device 100, with a first portion of thehousing 110 and the annular band 107 removed to expose certaincomponents. FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the medical device100, with a second portion of the housing 110 and the annular band 107removed to expose other components. FIGS. 7 and 8 provide alternativecross-sectional views of the medical device 100. FIGS. 9 and 10 provideperspective views showing different portions of a handle 102 of themedical device 100. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a distalportion of the medical device 100 in a linear configuration. FIGS. 12and 13 are cross-sectional views of the distal portion of the medicaldevice 100 in different non-linear configurations.

As shown in FIGS. 1-13, the medical device 100 includes, among otherelements, a first tubular conductor 120, a tubular insulator 130, asecond tubular conductor 140, a pointed distal end 101, an elongateshaft 150, a side port 123, an outer sleeve 170, a housing 110, and ahandle 102.

The first tubular conductor 120 may be a metallic tube that extends froma proximal anchor 121 (e.g., a metallic anchor) to an open distal end.In some embodiments, the first tubular conductor 120 is rigid (or isrigid along most of its length). In some embodiments, the first tubularconductor 120 includes a plurality of slots 122 adjacent the open distalend of the first tubular conductor 120. The slots 122 may beperpendicular or angled relative to the primary axis of the firsttubular conductor 120. In other embodiments, the first tubular conductor120 lacks a plurality of slots.

The tubular insulator 130 may be at least partially disposed within thefirst tubular conductor 120. For example, the tubular insulator 130 mayextend through the first tubular conductor 120. More particularly, insome embodiments, the tubular insulator 130 extends through the firsttubular conductor 120 such that a proximal end of the tubular insulator130 is proximal of the first tubular conductor 120 and a distal end ofthe tubular insulator 130 is distal of the first tubular conductor 120.The tubular insulator 130 may be made from any suitable insulatingmaterial, such as polymeric insulating materials. Examples of suitablepolymeric insulating materials include polyimide, polyetheretherketone(PEEK), and polyether block amides (e.g., PEBAX®).

The second tubular conductor 140 may be a metallic tube that extendsfrom a proximal anchor 141 (e.g., a metallic anchor) to an open distalend. In some embodiments, the second tubular conductor 140 is rigid (oris rigid along most of its length). The second tubular conductor 140 maybe at least partially disposed within the tubular insulator 130. Forexample, the second tubular conductor 140 may extend through the tubularinsulator 130 such that a distal portion 144 of the second tubularconductor 140 is disposed distal of the tubular insulator 130. Thesecond tubular conductor 140 may form a utility channel 146 that extendsfrom a proximal opening of the second tubular conductor 140 to a distalopening at the distal end of the second tubular conductor 140. In someembodiments, the portion 144 of the second tubular conductor 140 that isdisposed distal of the tubular insulator 130 is longitudinally offsetfrom the first tubular conductor 120 by an exposed portion 132 of thetubular insulator 130. The exposed portion 132 of the tubular insulator130 may have a length of between 0.3 cm and 1.0 cm. Stated differently,the gap between the distal portion 144 of the second tubular conductor140 and the distal end of the first tubular conductor 120 may be between0.3 cm and 1.0 cm.

In some embodiments, the second tubular conductor 140 includes aplurality of slots 148 adjacent the distal end of the second tubularconductor 140. The slots 148 may be perpendicular or angled relative tothe primary axis of the second tubular conductor 140. The plurality ofslots 148 may be disposed opposite the slots 122 of the first tubularconductor 120.

In some embodiments, the anchor 121 at the proximal end of the firsttubular conductor 120 may be electrically coupled to an electricalcontact 188 via a wire 117. Similarly, in some embodiments, the anchor141 at the proximal end of the second tubular conductor 140 may beelectrically coupled to another electrical contact 189 via another wire118. In some embodiments, the wires 117, 118 may travel through channelsin the housing 110. In some embodiments, one or both of the electricalcontacts 188, 189 are leaf spring contacts. When the electrical contacts188, 189 are coupled to a power source, the first tubular conductor 120and the second tubular conductor 140 may function as electrodes withopposite polarity. In some embodiments, the electrical contacts 188, 189are secured to the housing 110 via one or more screws 109.

The elongate shaft 150 may be at least partially disposed within theutility channel 146 of the second tubular conductor 140. In someembodiments, the elongate shaft 150 is coupled to the second tubularconductor 140 such that manipulation of the elongate shaft 150 causesarticulation of an articulating distal portion 138 of the medical device100. For example, in some embodiments, only a distal portion 151 of theelongate shaft 150 is attached (e.g., welded) to the second tubularconductor 140 (see FIGS. 11-13) while the remaining portion of theelongate shaft 150 is unattached from the second tubular conductor 140.In other words, the distal portion 151 of the elongate shaft 150 may beattached to the second tubular conductor 140 adjacent a distal end ofthe second tubular conductor 140. By displacing the elongate shaft 150relative to the proximal end of the second tubular conductor 140 asdescribed in greater detail below in connection with reference to FIGS.11-13, the articulating distal portion 138 of the medical device 100 maybe displaced (e.g., transition from a linear configuration to anon-linear configuration and vice versa).

In the depicted embodiment, the elongate shaft 150 includes a bulbousproximal end 152. Stated differently, the elongate shaft 150 may includea ball at its proximal end. A distal portion 154 of the elongate shaft150 may have a semicircular (e.g., D-shaped) cross-section. Due, inpart, to the semicircular cross section of the elongate shaft 150, theelongate shaft 150 may flex when a force is applied to the elongateshaft 150 and then return to a linear position when the force isremoved. The distal portion 154 of the elongate shaft 150 may extendfrom the distal end of the elongate shaft 150 to a position that isproximal of the proximal opening of the second tubular conductor 140. Insome embodiments, the bulbous proximal end 152 of the elongate shaft 150and the distal portion 154 of the elongate shaft 150 are separated by anintermediate portion 156 of the elongate shaft 150 that has a circularcross-section.

Due to the semicircular shape of the distal portion 154 of the elongateshaft 150, the elongate shaft 150 may occupy only a portion of the spacewithin the utility channel 146 of the second tubular conductor 140. Theremaining portion (e.g., a D-shaped portion) of the utility channel 146may be used for other purposes, such as for obtaining a biopsy sample,positioning temperature sensors, and/or delivering cement to a vertebraof a patient as described in greater detail below.

The port 123 may be configured to provide access to a proximal openingof the utility channel 146. Stated differently, the port 123 may be influid communication with the utility channel 146 of the second tubularconductor 140. In the depicted embodiment, the port 123 is a side portthat is disposed proximal of the second tubular conductor 140. The port123 may be designed to accommodate various medical implements, such asone or more of a thermal energy delivery probe 180 having one or moretemperature sensors 158, 159, an elongate cutting instrument 175, and acement delivery cartridge 190 (see FIG. 1). Stated differently, in someembodiments, the medical device 100 is configured to permit sequential(1) insertion of an elongate cutting instrument 175 into the port 123,(2) removal of the elongate cutting instrument 175 from the port 123,(3) insertion of a thermal energy delivery probe 180 into the port 123,(4) removal of the thermal energy delivery probe 180 from the port 123,and (5) insertion of the cement delivery cartridge 190 across the port123. In some embodiments, the port 123 includes indicia that help thepractitioner to determine the position of one or more temperaturesensors as described in greater detail below.

The outer sleeve 170 may be attached (e.g., laser welded) to the distalportion 144 of the second tubular conductor 140 (see FIG. 11). In thedepicted embodiment, the outer sleeve 170 is offset from the firsttubular conductor 120. In other words, the outer sleeve 170 is notattached to the first tubular conductor 120. In some embodiments, theouter sleeve 170 generally has an outer diameter that is substantiallyidentical to the outer diameter of the first tubular conductor 120. Insome embodiments, the outer sleeve 170 includes one or more protrusions172, 173, 174 (e.g., radiopaque protrusions) or intrusions (not shown).The one or more protrusions 172, 173, 174 or intrusions may facilitatefluoroscopic visualization as described in greater detail below. In someembodiments, the outer sleeve 170 is a metallic tube.

In some embodiments, the medical device 100 has a pointed distal end101. The pointed distal end 101 may be formed from one or both of thesecond tubular conductor 140 and the outer sleeve 170. The pointeddistal end 101 may be configured to facilitate penetration of bonewithin the vertebra of a patient.

The housing 110 may be configured to encompass and/or protect variouscomponents of the medical device 100. For example, in the depictedembodiment, the housing 110 encompasses, at least in part, a rotatablesleeve 161, a casing 166, an O-ring 164, and a guide insert 108. In someembodiments, the rotatable sleeve 161 has the general shape of a tophat. Indeed, in the depicted embodiment, the rotatable sleeve 161includes an annular brim 165 that extends radially outward from the baseof the rotatable sleeve 161. Stated differently, the rotatable sleeve161 may comprise a brim 165 that extends radially outward. The O-ring164 may be positioned around the brim 165 of the rotatable sleeve 161.The rotatable sleeve 161 may include interior threads 162 that areconfigured to mate with exterior threads 167 on the casing 166. Thecasing 166 may be designed to encompass a proximal end of an elongateshaft 150. For example, in some embodiments, the casing 166 encompassesthe bulbous proximal end 152 of the elongate shaft 150. In someembodiments, the casing 166 is formed by attaching a first half of thecasing 166 that includes a hemisphere-shaped indentation with a secondhalf of the casing 166 that includes another hemisphere-shapedindentation. The indentations on each half of the casing 166 maycooperate to form a spherical pocket that accommodates a bulbousproximal end 152 of the elongate shaft 150.

The guide insert 108 may be disposed within the housing 110 tofacilitate insertion of one or more elongate instruments into theutility channel 146 of the second tubular conductor 140. For example, insome embodiments, the guide insert 108 is formed from a first half and asecond half that together combine to form a funnel-shaped surface thatdirects elongate instruments into the utility channel 146.

The housing 110 may include various recesses (see, e.g., FIG. 2). Forexample, the housing 110 may include a first recess 112 that isconfigured to accommodate both the rotatable sleeve 161 and the casing166 that is partially disposed within the rotatable sleeve 161. Thefirst recess 112 may jut out to form a disk-shaped cavity 113 that isdesigned to snugly accommodate the annular brim 165 of the rotatablesleeve 161. The housing 110 may also include a second recess 114 that isdesigned to accommodate (e.g., secure) an anchor 141 at the proximal endof the second tubular conductor 140. The housing 110 may also include athird recess 116 that is configured to accommodate (e.g., secure) ananchor 121 at the proximal end of the first tubular conductor 120. Inthe depicted embodiment, the first recess 112 is disposed proximal ofthe second recess 114, and the second recess 114 is disposed proximal ofthe third recess 116. Due to the relative position of the second recess114 relative to the third recess 116, the anchors 121, 141 (andtherefore the proximal ends of the tubular conductors 120, 140) arelongitudinally offset from one another. Stated differently, the anchor121 at the proximal end of the first tubular conductor 120 may bedisposed distal of the anchor 141 at the proximal end of the secondtubular conductor 140. In this manner, at least a portion of the secondtubular conductor 140 is fixedly disposed relative to the first tubularconductor 120. A portion 134 of the tubular insulator 130 may bedisposed around the second tubular conductor 140 within the gap betweenthe anchor 121 for the first tubular conductor 120 and the anchor 141for the second tubular conductor 140. In some embodiments, the gap isgreater than 0.5 cm. For example, in some embodiments, the gap isbetween 0.5 and 2.0 cm in length.

In some embodiments, the first portion of the housing 110 and the secondportion of the housing 110 are held together by one or more of anadhesive, a fastener, and annular bands 106, 107.

The handle 102 may include a first portion 103 (e.g., a proximalportion) and a second portion 104 (e.g., a distal portion). The firstportion 103 of the handle 102 may include one or more flexible arms andone or more teeth 105 that project radially inward from the one or moreflexible arms. The one or more teeth 105 may be configured to engagewith one or more outer protrusions 163 on the rotatable sleeve 161. Thefirst portion 103 of the handle 102 may be rotatable relative to thesecond portion 104 of the handle 102. As described in further detailbelow, rotation of the first portion 103 of the handle 102 may causedisplacement (e.g., articulation) of a distal portion 138 of the medicaldevice 100. Stated differently, manipulation of the handle 102 may causedisplacement of the articulating distal portion 138. In someembodiments, the second portion 104 of the handle 102 is integrallyformed with the housing 110.

The medical device 100 may be used in one or more medical procedures,such as procedures to treat a spinal tumor in one or more vertebralbodies of a patient. For example, some embodiments of a medicalprocedure may involve obtaining the medical device 100 and inserting adistal end 101 of the medical device 100 into a vertebral body of apatient (e.g., a sedated patient in the prone position). In embodimentsin which the distal end 101 of the medical device 100 is pointed, thepointed distal end 101 may facilitate penetration of bone within thevertebra of the patient. In some embodiments, the medical device 100 hassufficient strength to prevent buckling of the medical device 100 as thedistal end of the medical device 100 is inserted within a vertebra(e.g., across the cortical bone) of the patient. In some embodiments,the distal end 101 of the medical device 100 is inserted into thepatient via an introducer (not shown). In other embodiments, the distalend 101 of the medical device 100 is inserted into the patient withoutusing an introducer.

In some circumstances, and with particular reference to FIGS. 14-17,once the distal end 101 of the medical device 100 is disposed within avertebra of the patient, an elongate cutting instrument 175 may beinserted through the port 123 of the medical device 100 and into theutility channel 146 of the second tubular conductor 140. The guideinsert 108 may provide a funnel shaped opening that guides the elongatecutting instrument 175 into the utility channel 146. The elongatecutting instrument 175 may include an elongate shaft 176 that terminatesin a serrated end 177 (see FIG. 17). The elongate shaft 176 may beflexible, thereby allowing the elongate shaft 176 to adopt a non-linearconfiguration. As the elongate cutting instrument 175 is insertedthrough the port 123, the serrated end 177 of the elongate shaft 176 mayemerge from an opening at the distal end 101 of the utility channel 146and enter into tissue of the patient. By rotating the elongate cuttinginstrument 175 as shown in FIG. 15, the serrated end 177 of the elongatecutting instrument 175 may cut into tissue of the patient to obtain abiopsy sample. Once the biopsy sample has been cut from the patient, theelongate cutting instrument 175 may be removed from the patient, and thesample may subjected to one or more tests.

In some embodiments, the elongate cutting instrument 175 includesinterior threads 178 that mate with exterior threads 118 on the port 123(see FIG. 16). Mating of the interior threads 178 of the elongatecutting instrument 175 with exterior threads 124 on the port 123 mayhelp a practitioner determine or estimate the position of the serratedend 177 of the elongate cutting instrument 175.

In some embodiments, once the distal end 101 of the medical device 100is disposed within a vertebra of the patient, the articulating distalportion 138 of the medical device 100 may be displaced. For example, thearticulating distal portion 138 of the medical device 100 may betransitioned from a linear configuration (FIG. 11) to one or more of anon-linear configuration (FIGS. 12 and 13). To effectuate thistransition, the proximal portion 103 of the handle 102 may be rotatedrelative to the housing 110. As the proximal portion 103 of the handle102 is rotated, the inward-extending teeth 105 may engage withprotrusions 163 on the rotatable sleeve 161, thereby causing therotatable sleeve 161 to rotate.

As the rotatable sleeve 161 is rotated, the casing 166 is proximally ordistally displaced relative to the housing 110. More specifically, dueto the interaction of the interior threads 162 of the rotatable sleeve161 with the exterior threads 167 of the casing 166, the casing 166 isdisplaced in a proximal direction when the rotatable sleeve 161 isrotated in a first direction and in a distal direction when therotatable sleeve 161 is rotated in a second direction that is oppositeto the first direction. In the depicted embodiment, when the rotatablesleeve 161 is rotated, the rotatable sleeve 161 is not appreciablydisplaced in a proximal direction or a distal direction due to theinteractions of the O-ring 164 and/or the brim 165 of the rotatablesleeve 161 with the cavity 113 of the first recess 112. In other words,in some embodiments, the rotatable sleeve 161 does not move in aproximal direction or a distal direction with respect to the housing 110because the rotatable sleeve 161 is snugly positioned within thedisk-shaped cavity 113 of the first recess 112. In the depictedembodiment, the casing 166 does not rotate due to the interaction of oneor more flat surfaces of the casing 166 with the first recess 112.

As the casing 166 is displaced in a proximal direction or a distaldirection, the casing 166 may exert a force on the elongate shaft 150,thereby causing the elongate shaft 150 to be displaced in a proximaldirection or in a distal direction relative to the housing 110, theanchors 121, 141, and/or at least a portion of the second tubular body140. Stated differently, due to the engagement of the casing 166 withthe bulbous proximal end 152 of the elongate shaft 150, the casing 166may exert a proximal or distal force on the elongate shaft 150, causingthe elongate shaft 150 to be displaced in a proximal direction or adistal direction.

As the elongate shaft 150 is displaced in a distal direction, the distalportion 138 of the medical device 100 may transition from the linearconfiguration (FIG. 11) to a non-linear configuration (FIG. 12) in whichthe slots 148 of the second tubular conductor 140 are disposed on theconvex side of the bend, and the slots 122 of the first tubularconductor 120 are disposed on the concave side of the bend. In contrast,when the elongate shaft 150 is displaced in a proximal direction, thedistal portion 138 of the medical device 100 may transition to anon-linear configuration in which the slots 148 of the second tubularconductor 140 are disposed on the concave side of the bend while theslots 122 of the first tubular conductor 120 are disposed on the convexside of the bend (see FIG. 13). As the elongate shaft 150 is displacedin proximal and distal directions, the distal portion 138 of the medicaldevice 100 may transition from a linear configuration to a non-linearconfiguration in only a single plane. Stated differently, in someembodiments, movement of the distal portion 138 of the medical device100 is limited to a single plane. By rotating the rotatable sleeve 161 aselected amount, the articulating distal portion 138 may be bent to aselected degree.

In some instances, articulation of the distal portion 138 of the medicaldevice 100 may facilitate placement of the distal portion 138 of themedical device 100 at a desired location for ablation. Stateddifferently, the medical device 100 may have an active steeringcapability that enables navigation to and within a tumor. In someinstances, articulation of the distal portion 138 of the medical device100 may additionally or alternatively mechanically displace tissue(e.g., tumor cells) within the vertebra of the patient. For example, themedical device 100 may function as an articulating osteotome thatenables site-specific cavity creation. Stated differently, thearticulating distal portion 138 of the medical device 100 may be robustenough to facilitate navigation through hard tissue of a patient. Thus,in the manner described above, manipulation of the handle 102 may causedisplacement of both the elongate shaft 150 and the articulating distalportion 138 of the medical device 100. Stated differently, thepractitioner may articulate a distal portion 138 of the medical device100 such that the distal portion 138 transitions from a linearconfiguration to a non-linear configuration (and vice versa).

In some embodiments, the medical device 100 is configured to prevent apractitioner from exerting an excessive amount of torque on therotatable sleeve 161, which could potentially damage one or morecomponents (e.g., the elongate shaft 150 or the articulating distalportion 138) of the medical device 100. For example, in someembodiments, the one or more teeth 105 that project radially inward fromarms of the proximal portion 103 of the handle 102 (see FIG. 10) may beconfigured to deflect outward when too much torque is provided, therebycausing the proximal portion 103 of the handle 102 to disengage from theprotrusions 163 on the rotatable sleeve 161 (see FIG. 9). Moreparticularly, at a selected torque—for example a torque ranging fromgreater than about 0.5 inch-pounds but less than about 7.5inch-pounds—the proximal portion 103 of the handle 102 may disengagefrom the protrusions 163 on the rotatable sleeve 161. Such disengagementprevents the practitioner from exerting an excessive amount of force onthe rotatable sleeve 161. Stated differently, the proximal portion 103of the handle 102 may function as a torque limiter.

Once the distal tip 101 of the medical device 100 has been inserted intothe patient and the articulating distal portion 138 of the medicaldevice has been positioned at the desired location (e.g., within atumor) in a preferred orientation (e.g., such that the distal portion138 is bent), the medical device 100 may be activated for ablationwithin a vertebra of a patient such that an electrical current flowsbetween the distal portion 144 of the second tubular conductor 140 tothe first tubular conductor 120 via tissue within the vertebra of thepatient. Stated differently, the first tubular conductor 120 mayfunction as first electrode and the second tubular conductor 140 mayfunction as a second electrode such that an electrical current flowsbetween the first electrode and the second electrode via tissue within avertebral body of the patient. In some embodiments, the temperature oftissue within the vertebral body of the patient may be measured as theelectrical current flows between the first electrode and the secondelectrode. In some embodiments, the process of treating a spinal tumordoes not involve advancement or retraction of the electrodes relative toone another. In some embodiments, the process of treating a spinal tumordoes not involve displacement of the first electrode and/or the secondelectrode via a spring. Stated differently, in some embodiments, neitherthe first electrode nor the second electrode is coupled to a spring.

To activate the medical device 100 for ablation, the practitioner may,as shown in FIGS. 18-21, insert a thermal energy delivery probe 180through the port 123 such that the thermal energy delivery probe 180 isat least partially disposed within the utility channel 146 of the secondtubular conductor 140. The guide insert 108 may facilitate suchinsertion by guiding the thermal energy delivery probe 180 into theutility channel 146. In the depicted embodiment, the thermal energydelivery probe 180 includes a shell 186, a main body 187, a stylet 181,a first electrical contact 182, a second electrical contact 183, and anadaptor 184 for connecting to a power supply. In some embodiments, theshell 186 of the thermal energy delivery probe 180 is rotatable relativeto a main body 187 of the thermal energy delivery probe 180. In someembodiments, the shell 186 of the thermal energy delivery probe 180 maybe rotated (see FIG. 19) relative to the port 123 to selectively couplethe thermal energy delivery probe 180 to the port 123. In someembodiments, the thermal energy delivery probe 180 may further includeinterior threads 157 that are configured to engage with exterior threads124 on the port 123. In other words, rotation of the thermal energydelivery probe 180 relative to the port 123 may cause thread-baseddisplacement of the thermal energy delivery probe 180 relative to thesecond tubular conductor 140. Stated differently, rotating the thermalenergy delivery probe 180 relative to a side port 123 of the medicaldevice 100 may result in adjustment of the position(s) of one or moretemperature sensors 158, 159 that are attached to the stylet 181 of thethermal energy delivery probe 180.

Upon insertion, the first electrical contact 182 of the thermal energydelivery probe 180 may be in electrical communication with theelectrical contact 188 of the medical device 100, and the secondelectrical contact 183 may be in electrical communication with theelectrical contact 189 of the medical device 100. In some embodiments,one or both of the electrical contacts 188, 189 are leaf springcontacts. The leaf spring contacts 188, 189 may be configured tomaintain electrical contact with the contacts 182, 183 of the thermalenergy delivery probe 180 as the stylet 181 of the thermal energydelivery probe 180 is displaced relative to the second tubular conductor140. In other words, electrical communication between the contacts 182,183 of the thermal energy delivery probe 180 and the contacts 188, 189may be maintained despite movement of the thermal energy delivery probe180 relative to the housing 110. Electrical communication between thecontacts 182, 183 and the contacts 188, 189 may create an electricalcircuit for the delivery of thermal energy to tissue of the patient. Theelectrical contacts 182, 183 may be raised electrical contacts that arehard wired to the adaptor 184 (e.g., a LEMO style adaptor).

The thermal energy delivery probe 180 may be inserted through the port123 to vary the position of one or more temperature sensors 158, 159(e.g., thermocouples) that are attached to or otherwise coupled to thestylet 181 of the thermal energy delivery probe 180. In other words, insome embodiments, the thermal energy delivery probe 180 is displaceablewith respect to the second tubular conductor 140, thereby enablingdisplacement of the one or more temperature sensors 158, 159 relative tothe second tubular conductor 140. For example, in some embodiments, thethermal energy delivery probe 180 is inserted such that a temperaturesensor 158 is aligned with a protrusion 174 of the on the outer sleeve170. In some instances, indicia on the port 123 may help a practitionerto determine the position of a temperature sensor.

For example, in some embodiments, when the thermal energy delivery probe180 is inserted into the port 123 and rotated such that the bottom edgeof a hub 185 of the thermal energy delivery probe 180 is aligned with afirst indicium 127, a temperature sensor 158 may be disposed aparticular distance (D₁ of FIG. 20) (e.g., 5 mm) from a center of theexposed portion 132 of the tubular insulator 130. When the bottom edgeof the hub 185 is aligned with the second indicium 128, the temperaturesensor 158 may be disposed a different distance (D₂ of FIG. 20) (e.g.,10 mm) from a center of the exposed portion 132 of the tubular insulator130. When the bottom edge of the hub 185 is aligned with the thirdindicium 129, the temperature sensor 158 may be disposed still anotherdistance (D₃ of FIG. 20) (e.g., 15 mm) from a center of the exposedtubular insulator 130.

In some embodiments, when the bottom edge of the hub 185 (or some otherportion of the thermal energy delivery probe 180) is aligned with anindicium 127, 128, 129 on the port 123, the temperature sensor 158 maybe aligned with a protrusion 172, 173, 174 or intrusion (not shown) onthe outer sleeve 170, thereby allowing the practitioner to determine theposition of the temperature sensor by fluoroscopy. In some embodiments,a second temperature sensor 159 may be disposed proximal of a firsttemperature sensor 158. For example, a first temperature sensor 158 ofthe thermal energy delivery probe 180 may be disposed at or adjacent tothe distal end of the stylet 181 while a second temperature sensor 159is disposed proximal of the first temperature sensor 158.

In some embodiments, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 20A,instead of one or more protrusions on the outer sleeve 170′, the medicaldevice 100′ may instead include one or more intrusions 172′, 173′, 174′or protrusions (not shown) adjacent the distal end of the first tubularconductor 120′. In other words, in some embodiments, one or moreprotrusions or intrusions 172′, 173′, 174′ are disposed proximal of theinsulator 130′. The intrusions 172′, 173′, 174′ or protrusions may bevisible by radiography. The medical device 100′ may be configured suchthat a temperature sensor of the thermal energy delivery probe isaligned with an intrusion 172′, 173′, 174′ or protrusion when the bottomedge of the hub (or some other portion of the thermal energy deliveryprobe) is aligned with an indicium (e.g., an indicium on the port).Aligning a temperature sensor with one of the intrusions 172′, 173′,174′ may be accomplished in a manner similar to that described above inconnection with protrusions 173, 173, 174 on the outer sleeve 170. Insome embodiments, protrusions and/or intrusions are disposed on both theouter sleeve and the first tubular conductor. Some embodiments may lackprotrusions and/or intrusions on both the outer sleeve and the firsttubular conduit.

Once the articulating distal portion 138 of the medical device 100 isproperly positioned within the tissue of the vertebra and the one ormore temperature sensors 158, 159 are properly positioned within theutility channel 146 of the medical device 100, the medical device 100may be activated for ablation, thereby causing an electrical current toflow between the distal portion 144 of the second tubular conductor 140and the first tubular conductor 120 via tissue within the vertebra ofthe patient. For example, an adaptor 184 of the thermal energy deliveryprobe 180 may be connected to a power supply (e.g., a radiofrequencygenerator). An actuator that is in electrical communication with thepower supply and/or the thermal energy delivery probe may then beactuated, thereby creating a radiofrequency current that flows through acircuit that includes the thermal energy delivery device 180, theelectrical contacts 182, 183, the electrical contacts 188, 189, thewires 117, 118, the first tubular conductor 120, the second tubularconductor 140, and the tissue of the patient. The radiofrequency currentmay flow from the radiofrequency generator, through the electricalcontacts 183, 189, through the wire 118 down the second tubularconductor 140, arching across the exposed portion 132 of the insulator130 through tissue of the patient to the first tubular conductor 120,through the wire 117, across the contacts 188, 182, and back to thegenerator. In this manner, radiofrequency energy may be provided betweenthe first tubular conductor 120 and the second tubular conductor 140 viatissue of the patient. Due to the oscillation of the current at radiofrequencies, the tissue through which the electrical current travelsand/or tissue within the near-field region may be heated. Stateddifferently, due to the electrical current flowing between theelectrodes, ionic agitation occurs, thereby creating friction whichheats up nearby tissue. Once the tissue has reached a sufficienttemperature (e.g., approximately 50° C., such as between 45° C. and 55°C.) as measured by one or more temperature sensors, such as thetemperature sensors 158, 159 on the stylet 181 of the thermal energydelivery probe 180, the medical device 100 may be deactivated, therebypreventing the unintended heating of healthy tissue. Stated differently,one or more thermocouples may be used to actively monitor temperaturewithin the desired ablation region. When radiofrequency energy from thethermal energy delivery device 180 causes the tissue to reach apredetermined (e.g., ablation) temperature, the medical device 100 maybe deactivated, thereby restricting ablation to the desired region. Inthis manner, predictable, measurable, and/or uniform ablation zones maybe created in cancerous tissue. In other words, once temperaturemeasurements from the one or more temperature sensors have beenobtained, the practitioner may, based on the input from the one or moretemperature sensors, (1) alter the location of the distal end 101 of themedical device 100, (2) change the flow rate of electrical current,and/or (3) change the voltage across the electrodes.

If desired, multiple rounds of ablation may be carried out in a singleprocedure. For example, after a portion of the tissue within a tumor hasbeen ablated using the technique described above, the articulatingdistal portion 138 of the medical device 100 may be repositioned to anew location within the tumor. Once positioned in this new location, themedical device 100 may be activated to kill tissue in a second region ofthe tumor. This process may be completed as many times as is necessaryto ensure that the entire tumor is adequately treated. Once there is noneed or desire for further ablation, the thermal energy delivery probe180 may be retracted and removed from the port 123 of the medical device100.

Once the tissue from the tumor has been treated by radiofrequencyenergy, a bone cement may be delivered to a cavity within the vertebraof the patient, thereby providing stabilization to the vertebra. Forexample, in some embodiments, the medical device 100 includes a cementdelivery cartridge 190 (see FIGS. 22-25) that is configured tofacilitate delivery of a bone cement through the utility channel 146 ofthe medical device 100 and out of a distal opening at the distal end 101of the second tubular conductor 140. The cement delivery cartridge 190may include a stylet 191, an elongate tubular distal portion 192, aninflexible hollow portion 193, a proximal adaptor 194 (e.g., a luerconnection), and a latch 195.

To deliver bone cement to the vertebra of the patient, the distal end ofthe cement delivery cartridge 190 may be inserted into the port 123 ofthe medical device 100 as shown in FIG. 23. As the cement deliverycartridge 190 is inserted into the port 123, the stylet 191 of thecement delivery cartridge 190 may be disposed within a channel of thecement delivery cartridge. The stylet 191 may confer increased rigidityto the tubular distal portion 192 of the cement delivery cartridge 190during insertion into the utility channel 146 of the medical device 100.

In some embodiments, the tubular distal portion 192 of the cementdelivery device 190 can be inserted into the utility channel 146 of themedical device 100 only one way due to the geometry of the cementdelivery cartridge 190 and the port 123. In some embodiments, thetubular distal portion 192 is flexible, thereby allowing the tubulardistal portion 192 to adopt a non-linear path.

As the cement delivery cartridge 190 is inserted into the port 123, alatch 195 on the side of the cement delivery cartridge 190 may slideacross a discontinuity 125 in the threads 124 and become seated within arecess 126 in the port 123. In this manner, the latch 195 may lock thecement delivery cartridge 190 to the port 123 without rotation of thecement delivery cartridge 190 relative to the port 123. Once the cementdelivery cartridge 190 is locked to the port 123, the stylet 191 may beremoved (see FIG. 24).

Once the stylet 191 has been removed (see FIG. 25), the cement deliverycartridge 190 may be coupled to a pump (not shown) that is configured topump bone cement into a cavity in the vertebra of a patient. Forexample, the pump may deliver bone cement to the proximal adaptor 194 ofthe cement delivery cartridge 190 and then advance the bone cementthrough the cement delivery cartridge 190 into the vertebra of thepatient.

In some embodiments, the bone cement comprises methyl methacrylate. Insome embodiments, the bone cement is an ultra-high viscosity bone cementwith an extended working time. The bone cement, once hardened, maystabilize the vertebra of the patient.

Once the cement has been delivered to the patient, the cement deliverycartridge 190 may be uncoupled from the port 123 of the medical device100 by pressing the latch 195 toward the adaptor 194 and pulling thecement delivery cartridge 190 out of both the utility channel 146 andthe port 123.

Articulation or bending of the distal portion 138 of the medical device100 may be utilized to position the distal portion 138 of the medicaldevice 100 for delivery of cement via the cement delivery cartridge 190,positioning of the elongate cutting instrument 175 when taking a biopsy,and/or for targeting the area to which thermal energy is delivered andthe thermal energy delivery probe 180 is coupled to the medical device100.

Devices, assemblies and methods within the scope of this disclosure maydeviate somewhat from the particular devices and methods discussed abovein connection with the medical device 100. For example, in someembodiments, no biopsy sample is obtained during the medical procedure.Stated differently, in some embodiments, no elongate cutting instrumentis employed during the medical procedure. In some embodiments, no cementis delivered through a utility channel of a medical device that is alsoused for ablation. In other words, in some embodiments, cement deliveryinvolves the use of a separate medical device. For example, in someembodiments, one or both of the second tubular conductor and the outersleeve have sealed distal ends that do not allow for the delivery ofcement through the medical device.

FIGS. 26 and 27 depict an embodiment of a medical device 200 thatresembles the medical device 100 described above in certain respects.Accordingly, like features are designated with like reference numerals,with the leading digits incremented to “2.” For example, the embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 26-27 includes a handle 202 that may, in somerespects, resemble the handle 102 of FIGS. 1-25. Relevant disclosure setforth above regarding similarly identified features thus may not berepeated hereafter. Moreover, specific features of the medical device100 and related components shown in FIGS. 1-25 may not be shown oridentified by a reference numeral in the drawings or specificallydiscussed in the written description that follows. However, suchfeatures may clearly be the same, or substantially the same, as featuresdepicted in other embodiments and/or described with respect to suchembodiments. Accordingly, the relevant descriptions of such featuresapply equally to the features of the medical device 200 and relatedcomponents depicted in FIGS. 26 and 27. Any suitable combination of thefeatures, and variations of the same, described with respect to themedical device 100 and related components illustrated in FIGS. 1-25 canbe employed with the medical device 200 and related components of FIGS.26 and 27, and vice versa.

FIG. 26 provides a perspective view of the medical device 200, whileFIG. 27 provides a cross-sectional side view of the medical device 200.Like the medical device 100 described above, the medical device 200 isconfigured to facilitate tumor ablation, but is not designed for thedelivery of bone cement to the patient. In other words, in embodimentsthat use the medical device 200, bone cement is generally deliveredusing a separate medical device.

More particularly, the medical device 200 includes a side adaptor 219that is integrated with the housing 210. The adaptor 219 is configuredto couple to a power supply that delivers radiofrequency energy to heatand/or kill tissue within the patient.

The medical device 200 further includes a slidable tab 297 that isconfigured to facilitate placement of one or more temperature sensors258, 259 within a utility channel 246 of the medical device 200. Moreparticularly, the slidable tab 297 may be coupled to a rod 298 that iscoupled to a stylet 281. By sliding the slidable tab 297 in a proximaldirection, the stylet 281 may be retracted. Conversely, by sliding theslidable tab 297 in a distal direction, the stylet 281 may be advanced.In this manner, the position of temperature sensors 258, 259 that areattached to the stylet 281 may be controlled. For example, in someembodiments, the housing 210 includes one of more indicia that help apractitioner determine the location of one or more temperature sensors.For example, when the slidable tab 297 is aligned with a first indiciumon the housing 210, a temperature sensor 258 on the stylet 281 may bealigned with a first protrusion 272 on the outer sleeve. When theslidable tab 297 is aligned with a second indicium on the housing 210,the temperature sensor 258 may be aligned with a second protrusion 273on the outer sleeve. Other indicia may indicate alignment of atemperature sensor 258 with one or more other features or elements ofthe medical device 200.

Any methods disclosed herein include one or more steps or actions forperforming the described method. The method steps and/or actions may beinterchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific orderof steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment,the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.Moreover, sub-routines or only a portion of a method described hereinmay be a separate method within the scope of this disclosure. Statedotherwise, some methods may include only a portion of the stepsdescribed in a more detailed method.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “theembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with that embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variationsthereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Similarly, it should be appreciated by one of skill in the art with thebenefit of this disclosure that in the above description of embodiments,various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment,figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpretedas reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features thanthose expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than allfeatures of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claimsfollowing this Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporatedinto this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of theindependent claims with their dependent claims.

Recitation in the claims of the term “first” with respect to a featureor element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second oradditional such feature or element. It will be apparent to those havingskill in the art that changes may be made to the details of theabove-described embodiments without departing from the underlyingprinciples of the present disclosure.

We claim:
 1. A medical device for spinal tumor ablation, the medicaldevice comprising: a first tubular conductor; a tubular insulatorextending through the first tubular conductor such that a proximal endof the tubular insulator is proximal of the first tubular conductor anda distal end of the tubular insulator is distal of the first tubularconductor; a second tubular conductor extending through the tubularinsulator such that a distal portion of the second tubular conductor isdisposed distal of the insulator, wherein at least a portion of thesecond tubular conductor is fixedly disposed relative to the firsttubular conductor; and an articulating distal portion of the medicaldevice that is configured to transition from a linear configuration to anon-linear configuration; wherein the medical device is configured suchthat, when the medical device is activated for ablation within avertebra of a patient, an electrical current flows between the distalportion of the second tubular conductor and the first tubular conductorvia tissue within the vertebra of the patient; and an outer sleevefixedly coupled to the distal portion of the second tubular conductorand distally offset from the first tubular conductor.
 2. The medicaldevice of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the first tubular conductorand the distal portion of the second tubular conductor arelongitudinally offset by an exposed portion of the tubular insulator. 3.The medical device of claim 2, wherein the exposed portion of thetubular insulator has a length of between 0.3 cm and 1.0 cm.
 4. Themedical device of claim 1, wherein the articulating distal portion ofthe medical device is configured to mechanically displace tissue withinthe vertebra of the patient.
 5. The medical device of claim 1, furthercomprising a pointed distal end that is configured to penetrate bonewithin the vertebra of the patient.
 6. The medical device of claim 1,wherein the articulating distal portion of the medical device isconfigured to transition from the linear configuration to the non-linearconfiguration in only a single plane.
 7. The medical device of claim 1,further comprising an elongate shaft that is at least partially disposedwithin a channel of the second tubular conductor, wherein a distal endof the elongate shaft is attached to the second tubular conductoradjacent a distal end of the second tubular conductor such thatdisplacement of the elongate shaft relative to a proximal end of thesecond tubular conductor causes displacement of the articulating distalportion of the medical device.
 8. The medical device of claim 1, furthercomprising a side port that is in fluid communication with a utilitychannel of the second tubular conductor.
 9. The medical device of claim1, wherein the outer sleeve comprises at least one protrusion, whereinthe at least one protrusion is radiopaque to facilitate fluoroscopicvisualization of the outer sleeve.
 10. The medical device of claim 1,wherein the outer sleeve is a metallic tube.
 11. The medical device ofclaim 1, wherein the outer sleeve comprises a pointed distal end.
 12. Amedical device for ablation within a vertebra of a patient, the medicaldevice comprising: a first tubular conductor; a tubular insulator atleast partially disposed within the first tubular conductor; a secondtubular conductor at least partially disposed within the tubularinsulator; an outer sleeve fixedly coupled to a distal portion of thesecond tubular conductor and distally offset from the first tubularconductor; an elongate shaft that is coupled to the second tubularconductor such that manipulation of the elongate shaft causesarticulation of a distal portion of the medical device; a thermal energydelivery probe that is configured to be at least partially disposedwithin a channel of the second tubular conductor, wherein the thermalenergy delivery probe comprises a stylet; and one or more temperaturesensors coupled to and disposed along the stylet of the thermal energydelivery probe; wherein the thermal energy delivery probe isdisplaceable with respect to the second tubular conductor, therebyenabling displacement of the one or more temperature sensors relative tosecond tubular conductor; and wherein the medical device is configuredsuch that, when the medical device is activated for ablation within avertebra of a patient, an electrical current flows between a distalportion of the second tubular conductor and the first tubular conductorvia tissue within the vertebra of the patient.
 13. The medical device ofclaim 12, further comprising a side port, wherein the thermal energydelivery probe is selectively coupleable to the side port.
 14. Themedical device of claim 13, wherein the side port includes indicia fordetermining the position of the one or more temperature sensors.
 15. Themedical device of claim 13, wherein the thermal energy delivery probecomprises threads that are configured to engage with threads on the sideport, wherein rotation of the thermal energy delivery probe relative tothe side port causes thread-based displacement of the thermal energydelivery probe relative to the second tubular conductor.
 16. The medicaldevice of claim 12, further comprising a handle and an articulatingdistal portion, wherein manipulation of the handle causes displacementof the elongate shaft and displacement of the articulating distalportion.
 17. The medical device of claim 12, further comprising one ormore electrical contacts that are configured to maintain electricalcontact with the thermal energy delivery probe as the stylet of thethermal energy delivery probe is displaced relative to the secondelongate conductor.
 18. The medical device of claim 17, wherein theelectrical contacts comprise leaf spring contacts.
 19. The medicaldevice of claim 12, wherein the outer sleeve comprises at least oneprotrusion, wherein the at least one protrusion is radiopaque tofacilitate fluoroscopic visualization of the outer sleeve.
 20. Themedical device of claim 12, wherein the outer sleeve is a metallic tube.